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Biology: Life expectancy of a brown rat is approximately 1 year.
The female will breed between 5 and 7 times, an average litter of 7 - 8. Breeding occurs all year round and
depends more on the availability of food and harbourage than on seasonal conditions. Under ideal conditions,
one pair of rats may have over 800 offspring. Rats are most active at night, however, you may see them searching
for food and water during the day.
Rats cause immense damage when feeding in warehouses, granaries, factories etc. not only through the quantities
of food consumed but more importantly through contamination by faeces and urine, and damage by gnawing. Rats are
vectors of many diseases of which one is Weil's Disease (Leptospirosis) which can prove fatal. Rats are a major
risk to public health.
Signs of an infestation are droppings and evidence of gnawing. Other signs include damage to property, smear
marks (a dark mark caused by body grease) excavations under buildings and well worn runs through undergrowth.
Rats are very good swimmers.
Rats have an acute sense of smell and have a good sense of hearing and touch. Their eyesight is poor but functions
well in the dark.
Size: 20 - 30cm (8 - 12 inches) head plus body length. Tail is 60% of
body length. 100 - 500g (average about 350g).
Markings: Grey/Brown or black with a slightly lighter underbelly.
Location: Wherever there is Man.
Detection: Live sightings, droppings, gnawed wiring and food containers, scuffling noises, smell.
Solution: For a survey, quotation and treatment contact AQUILA
All Surveys and Quotations are free of charge
All work undertaken is guaranteed
All Work carried out is completed to the standards recommended
by the industries governing bodies
